Matthew 17:24-27

Matthew 17:24-27

And after they came into Capernaum, the ones who collect the two-drachma tax approached Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?”  He says, “Yes.”  And after coming into the house, Jesus anticipated him while saying, “What is thought by you, Simon?  The kings of the earth – from whom do they receive duties or governmental taxes?  From their sons or from others?”  And after saying, “From others,” Jesus was saying to him, “As a result, indeed, free are the sons.  But in order that we should not be a stumbling block to them: after going out into the sea, cast a fishhook, take the first fish that comes up, after opening its mouth, you will find a stater.  After taking that, give it to them for me and you.”

Note: A stater is a coin worth four drachmas, which is approximately a shekel.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We need to look at a historical note here in order to get the full meaning behind Jesus’ words.  In the ancient world – the Romans were no different – it was very common for rulers to impose taxes upon the people that were conquered.  The citizens of a country seldom paid tax, it was the conquered populations that usually paid the tax.  Thus, Jesus is playing off the ancient tradition that you just don’t tax your own people.  You tax people who are foreign to you.  You tax people who are benefitting from your protection, from your infrastructure, and from your scientific improvements but who are not inherently a part of your culture.  Jesus’ point here is to point out that the Jewish people have got it wrong.  The leaders of the country tax their own people and place burdens on their own people in order to make life in the temple as easy and lavish as possible.  Jesus is assaulting the temple rulers and the high priests.  They look to take money from the people they should be caring for so that they can live in luxury.

Do you ever see an example of this issue in today’s church?  Do you ever encounter religious leaders who seem to be after the money of their people instead of their hearts?

Second Thought:

There is another dynamic at work here.  When Jesus uses the word sons, He is making a specific theological reference.  Jesus is the son of God.  Those who follow Him are adopted to be sons of God.  In other words, we are God’s family.  Jesus is making an even tighter point that nobody would charge a tax to your own children for coming into their own home!  No parent would charge their child a tax when they come back for a visit!  Jesus and His disciples are the sons of God.  The people who are genuinely in a relationship with God are sons of God.  The Temple is God’s house.  There should be no tax for God’s own sons to come home!

Are you a child of God?  If you are a child of God, should anyone charge you for coming into God’s house?  How does this idea blend with the concept of tithing in the church?

Third Thought:

I love the way that Jesus ends this passage.  He sends Peter on a mission just so that the people won’t get offended.  There are two parts to this lesson.  First, Jesus knows that His crucifixion is drawing near and there is no point to hasten it by making another group angry.  There is no need to stoke the fire.  But I think the second point is even more theologically significant.  Jesus is setting precedence here that in matters of the world, we should not give reason to offend people.  If the world wants to behave a certain way, let’s not offend people.  If we are going to offend someone, let’s offend them over things that matter to God, not things that matter to the world.

Do you ever offend people for the wrong reason?  Why do we who are in the church often fight the wrong battles and let the things that offend God go without chastisement yet get upset over the things that do not offend God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 18:1-4